Executive Director, Economic Equity and Opportunity

Position Description

Position Overview:

Under the supervision and direction of the County Administrator, the Executive Director of Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) will lead the County's efforts to promote economic opportunity, inclusive procurement, and small business development as directed by the Commissioner’s Court. The individual in this role will be responsible for the strategic oversight of programs and initiatives aimed at reducing economic disparities, fostering inclusive economic growth, and ensuring fair wage practices across the County. In addition, the Executive Director is responsible for compliance of various federal, state, and local programs/policies, implementing equitable economic policies, and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders to drive systemic change.

The Executive Director of DEEO should have a proven record in leading economic opportunity, equity initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. Experience in contract compliance, wage rate monitoring, policy analysis and strategic management is essential. The Executive Director must align department initiatives with Harris County's five-year strategic plan to make Harris County’s economy more inclusive.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and Vision: Leads the department's strategic planning process and implementation, which includes active engagement with leadership to develop and establish a five-year strategic plan, vision, and long-term goals, ensuring alignment with the Harris County strategic plan.
• Funding and Financial Management: Oversees the annual preparation and administration of the department’s budget by gathering financial data, program outcomes, and past performance to project and request needed resources. In addition, facilitates access to capital, loans, and grants for businesses and nonprofits, and ensures grant compliance by tracking performance, consulting with funders, and interpreting statutory requirements.
• Program Development and Impact: Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the development, implementation, and performance of the department's programs, contracts, and services by establishing and executing long-term economic development strategies that advance community business growth, workforce development, job training, and worker protections. Drives organizational accountability through performance management, governance, and continuous evaluation to ensure initiatives are effectively implemented, resources are optimized, measurable outcomes are achieved, and economic disparities are reduced in alignment with County priorities.
• Economic Equity Policy and Advisory: Provides expert advice and recommendations to County leadership and officials to integrate economic goals into broader economic development plans, incorporating best practices and addressing emerging trends in economic equity and opportunity.
• Compliance and Wage Monitoring: Develops and maintains a system for tracking and analyzing wage rates across County sectors to identify disparities, ensure compliance with fair wage practices under laws such as the Davis Bacon Act lead initiatives to address areas of concern, monitor and enforce contract compliance, subcontractor utilization, and wage rate standards, and ensure overall legal and regulatory compliance by working collaboratively with the Harris County Attorney’s Office, Infrastructure Departments and the Purchasing Agent.
• Community and Business Development: Builds and maintains strong relations with community organizations, local businesses and leaders, and government agencies to support the formation, survival, and growth of small and micro businesses; increase access to quality jobs with a living wage, promote household financial stability, increase income and assets and reduce debt burden, expand equitable employment opportunities and participation of Minority-, Women-, Small-, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and strengthen and enforce Harris County worker protections and workplace safety standards.
• Representation and Stakeholder Engagement: Serves as the department's executive representative and strategic advisor to Commissioners Court by providing policy recommendations, operational updates, and expert guidance on departmental initiatives, contracts, and matters requiring Court action. Leads cross-departmental coordination to advance County priorities, align enterprise initiatives, and resolve complex operational issues while cultivating collaborative partnerships with County leadership, Court offices, community organizations, business leaders, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and achieve measurable organizational outcomes.
• Reporting and Communication: Prepares reports and presentations to communicate department activities, program outcomes, findings, and recommendations to Commissioners Court and their staff, external partners, the Office of County Administration, and the public.

Other Duties:

• Employees are responsible for executing the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as any other duties as assigned. Some positions may require employees to work before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, at the department's discretion.
• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected] .

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Required Supporting Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Updated Resume

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Ten (10) years of experience in economic development, public policy, or a related field, with a focus on equity and inclusion.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive management experience leading large teams with a track record of building staff capacity and driving organizational outcomes.
• Three (3) or more years of direct experience managing a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven track record of leadership in developing and implementing economic equity initiatives.
• Strong management and personnel development skills.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with wage rate monitoring and analysis.
• Ability to set a clear departmental vision and translate high-level policy goals into actionable operational plans.
• Ability to simultaneously oversee multiple high-priority initiatives across varying timelines and complexity levels.
• Knowledge of project management frameworks and tools used to track and report on progress across a large portfolio of work.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate progress, risks, and outcomes clearly to diverse audiences including Commissioners Court, department heads, and the public.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Skill in developing and maintaining regular reporting cadences that keep leadership and partners consistently informed.
• Demonstrated ability to manage up, down, and across organizational lines to ensure alignment and timely decision-making.
• Ability to establish a culture of accountability within the department, setting clear expectations for staff performance and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to advance policy changes and influence decision-making processes.
• Commitment to excellence in execution of directives and deliverables.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Master's or other advanced degree.
• Experience working in large, complex government organizations.
• Experience in finance, economic analysis or data analytics.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• Hours will be discussed during the departmental interview.
• May require employees to work before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, at the department's discretion.

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
• Plus, benefits

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Indoor and office.
• Sitting and standing.
• Some travel required.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports To Position: County Administrator
• Supervises Positions: 70 - 80 FTEs (Total Department Size)

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.